Sewing Kitty

I just wanted to share my applique project. Thanks to the blizzard, I've been getting more done than I expected. I love to applique but seem to spend more time on machine piecing and quilting. I like to knit when I watch TV. I'm so close to getting this wall hanging done that I'm going to keep myself from starting a new knitting project until this is finally finished!

These are the next items I have to applique. There are also blocks that I plan on piecing and then applique to the wall hanging.

I think it's easier if you just see the picture of what the wall hanging looks like when completed.  Those little blocks take up a good portion of space in the project. I bought this as a kit so some of the fabrics are different.

Hopefully I'll finish this soon. I just got 2 new knitting books and I'm dying to start something new!!
Not sure how long I can restrain myself!

Blizzard and Sewing

This was the view from my front door a few hours ago. That's my lamp post that looks so tiny! I think we got around 2 feet of snow but I'm not really sure. It's still snowing!

Here's  few more pictures from the storm.

This is my back door this morning at 8am. The snow did pile up even higher during the course of the day.

Here's my husband trying to make a path to our shed.

I added another row to the Downton Abbey quilt. I really love working on it. The rows are taking a longer time now. My next row will be made up of 9 blocks. After that row, the quilt top will be half done. I hope to have the top done while Downton Abbey is still on television.

 

Just a different angle of the quilt top so far.

Just heard the driving ban will be over at midnight tonight. Snow should end sometime before that. Such a long storm. I'm so lucky to have had the days off from work. Hope everyone stays safe!

Project Updates/FNSI

 

I finished my socks this afternoon! I never feel guilty watching General Hospital if I keep my hands busy. The pattern consisted of 2 different patterns running at the same time. I had cables on either side that had their own pattern while knitting the lace pattern. It wasn't really that hard once you got used to it. I just had to write down what row I was on for each of the patterns. These socks still have to be washed and blocked.

I've started to put together the Downton Abbey quilt. I love the on point setting but I had forgotten that it takes a little more work! The above 2 pictures are just the first 2 rows sewn together. I added the triangles to square off the rows. I really like it!

The last 2 pictures show the third row added on. The colors aren't very rich in this photo. In person, the quilt looks very soft and feminine. It's a pleasure to work on.

Also, tonight is the first Friday Night Sew In for 2015. I think I'll work on my hand applique project. I've been neglecting the poor thing. Hope you can join in!

Have a great weekend but watch out for the snowstorm!

Endless Meandering

I've been spending lots of time meandering over my mom's quilt. It still seems as though I have so much to do! I tried to take a picture of the quilt sort of hanging off my machine! The blocks that make the Irish Chain pattern are all quilted.

 



 



I've started the original border. I have a feeling this is going to take a while! I do like how it's coming out. The quilt is laying nice and flat. It's hard to see in the pictures but the variegated thread looks really nice on the different fabrics. I'm hoping I'll speed up and get it done but not sure that will actually happen! Let's hope my mom loves it when it's complete!

Leaf & Trellis Socks

I joined The Knitting Guild of America (TKGA) this past summer. I went to one of their events in Manchester, NH and decided to join. Your membership includes a really nice magazine (Cast On) full of some wonderful knitting projects.

I just received my first issue in early December. I saw these lace socks and just had to make them! I had hand dyed gray sock yarn in my stash and started on them pretty quickly. Due to the holidays, it took a while to finish the first sock. The lace pattern is a leaf pattern with cables on either side.

Here's a close up of the lace pattern. It really does look like leaves! I've already started the second sock. I feel as though I'm knitting faster this time around and there aren't any holidays to slow me down! Hope to have it done soon!!

My Ode to Downton Abbey

 I've been so happy to return to my sewing room now that the holidays are over! I've been able to sew and make some progress. I've been working on the above pattern. I had bought 2 fat quarter packs featuring Downton Abbey fabric. I chose the fabrics inspired by Lady Edith and Lady Sybil. I wasn't sure what I was going to make until I saw this pattern. I had the correct number of fat quarters. It looked like a quick top. I like that!

I've combined the 2 fabric collections and come up with the following blocks. They're 8.5 inches square. I had to make 50 blocks total. I love that the blocks are on point. I always feel this setting makes the quilt interesting!

These pictures don't show the fabrics very well. The colors are somewhat muted but fabric patterns are gorgeous. I can't wait to start placing them in order. No fabric combinations were repeated. I was running out of different possible combinations as I was approaching the 45th block. I somehow managed to keep them all different. I'm not crazy about some of the combinations but they all seem to work.

I'm getting the sashing ready. This was a real fun quilt to work on. I'm hoping to finish the quilt top while Downton Abbey is still being shown.

Meandering the Monster!

 

Now that the holidays are over, I figured it's time to get going on my projects. No more excuses!
My daughter, my mom and I got together last week to spray baste the layers together. This was no easy task! This quilt measures approximately 95" X 105". It took over an hour but we did it! I started free motion quilting last week. I'm just meandering all over the whole thing.

I am using a variegated King Tut thread. The thread colors for the middle of the quilt is blue and light blue. The thread I chose for the borders is medium blue to dark blue. My strategy is to start in the middle and work my way out to the edges. I'm almost done with the middle portion which is the old quilt top my mother found. She wants it on her bed as soon as I can get it done! We decided meandering would be the quickest and most practical quilting. I haven't meandered/stippled in ages! It's all coming back!

Hope everyone had a wonderful and Happy New Year!!